A pair of cowboy builders who defrauded customers of more than £1.3 million by turning their homes into construction sites have been sentenced to prison. Samuel O'Hanlon, 45, led the fraudulent operation alongside his 28-year-old accomplice Jack Sargeant. They demanded exorbitant payments before completing work, repeatedly identifying new issues in properties to extort more money from homeowners. Many jobs were left unfinished, leaving homes in disarray and lives devastated.
Conviction and Sentencing
The pair were found guilty of multiple counts of fraud and money laundering after an eight-week trial at Inner London Crown Court in March. On Wednesday, O'Hanlon, from Folkestone, received a 10-year prison sentence, while Sargeant was sentenced to five years and nine months. Judge David Richards remarked: 'You caused misery, heartbreak, poverty and grief on a large scale.'
Victims Speak Out
Several victims have expressed anger, stating that warning signs were overlooked and authorities repeatedly dismissed their concerns while O'Hanlon continued his activities. They felt the system failed to protect them, leaving them feeling 'stupid', 'fobbed off', and 'totally humiliated.'
Elizabeth Hennessey, 83, from Ashford, said the damage went beyond financial loss, claiming O'Hanlon destroyed the final years of her husband Paul's life. The couple hired O'Hanlon to build a kitchen extension with a wet room for Paul, who was in poor health, so he could remain in their home. Instead, they were forced out for over a year after O'Hanlon failed to complete the work started in October 2020. He repeatedly found new issues, worked sporadically, and left tasks unfinished. They paid nearly £150,000—more than double the original £60,000 quote. Paul passed away in January 2022 without ever returning home. Mrs Hennessey said: 'He ruined the last two years of Dad's life. That can never be righted, nor forgiven.'
She criticised Kent Police's response, saying a fraud officer made her feel 'totally humiliated' and dismissed her concerns. She added: 'I was made to feel stupid, dismissed, not heard until DC Brown finally believed me.' She praised Trading Standards for their thoroughness but said O'Hanlon 'should have been stopped sooner.'
Earlier Warnings Ignored
Warning signs about O'Hanlon date back over a decade. In 2015, Robert Davies, 82, from Lewes, East Sussex, hired O'Hanlon to repair his conservatory roof. The work was never completed, and after paying nearly £90,000, Davies dismissed him. He contacted authorities but was repeatedly ignored. East Sussex Police deemed it a civil matter, and Kent Police refused to follow up. Davies said: 'I was fobbed off. Trading Standards in 2015 were not helpful. He should have been stopped years ago.'
Pattern of Fraud
Between June 2018 and January 2026, O'Hanlon and Sargeant defrauded 12 victims using three businesses: Advanced Contractors South East Ltd and Precision Contractors South East Ltd. Their combined offending exceeded £2.4 million, including fraud and money laundering. O'Hanlon was banned from being a company director for 12 years, Sargeant for 10 years. Both must serve at least 40% of their sentences before parole eligibility.
Kent Police apologised to Mrs Hennessey for how her case was handled. Detective Chief Inspector Helen Smithers said: 'We apologise if she was upset by the way others spoke to her.' Clive Philips of Kent Trading Standards praised victims' courage and said all complaints are taken seriously. East Sussex County Council could not comment on Mr Davies' 2015 contact due to record retention policies.
